The grant is for 21st century technology to advance educational programs and training in West Virginia. Specifically, it involves support for a Virtual S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Academy.

“The June Harless Center is extremely grateful for this gift from Frontier Communications,” said Dr. Stan Maynard, director of the June Harless Center. “We are pleased that Frontier has the confidence not only in Marshall University, but the June Harless Center in making this initiative successful.”

Dennis Bloss, Area General Manager for Frontier, said the telecommunications services provider recognizes the commitment that June Harless and her family have made to improve education in West Virginia. The late June Harless was the wife of James “Buck” Harless of Gilbert and one of southern West Virginia’s most avid supporters of education and medical research.

“The June Harless Center and Marshall University have a clear and bold mission – to provide West Virginia’s young people with the skills they will need to compete globally in an economically competitive world,” Bloss said. “An academy that uses technology to support the teaching of science, math and other critical subjects is the right program at the right place at the right time.”

Maynard said the focus of the Virtual S.T.E.M. Academy will be to assist schools in providing special training in integrating technology into Pre-K – 12 classrooms; enrich S.T.E.M. curricular opportunities for rural students who may have difficulty accessing advanced S.T.E.M. classes; provide tutoring support for students enrolled in Advanced Placement S.T.E.M. courses; and provide training for educators in utilizing an academic management system for efficient on-line instruction and assessment.

“The announcement of this dynamic, technology-based initiative represents a vital technological portal for launching other June Harless Center partnerships with other education and business agencies,” Maynard said.

Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE: FTR) offers voice, High-Speed Internet, satellite video, wireless Internet data access, data security solutions, bundled offerings, specialized bundles for small businesses and home offices, and advanced business communications Access Solutions for medium and large businesses in 27 states and with approximately 14,800 employees. More information is available at www.frontier.com and www.frontier.com/ir.